SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 18, 2023—U.S. News & World Report has ranked Santa Clara University No. 60 among national universities in the country, placing it among the top 15% of U.S. higher education institutions ranked by the publication.
The ranking, published today in the 2024 edition of “U.S. News Best Colleges,” reflects Santa Clara’s robust graduation and retention rates for all students and for Pell Grant-eligible and first-generation students; academic reputation; and graduates’ earnings.
Additionally, SCU fared strongly in rankings for Undergraduate Teaching Programs, where it ranked at No. 13, up from No. 14 in 2023, and for Undergraduate Business Programs, at No. 70 (top 15%), accompanied by recognition for its programs in entrepreneurship, finance, accounting and analytics.
“These rankings are a reflection of Santa Clara University’s laser focus on the quality of our education and our commitment to ensuring our students thrive both on our campus and beyond,” said President Julie Sullivan. “It’s wonderful to see the achievements of our students, faculty, and staff be recognized, as we continue to innovate and educate ‘the whole person’ in our Jesuit, Catholic tradition.”
Santa Clara’s overall ranking was No. 55 in 2023. The modest decline is likely the result of U.S. News’ increased weighting for schools that have a strong presence of Pell Grant-eligible and low-income students on campus, an area of increased focus for the University. “We are making progress in increasing affordability and access as a key University priority,” said Sullivan, who has launched several new outreach and scholarship initiatives during her first year at Santa Clara.
SCU by the Numbers
- No. 13 (tied) Undergraduate Teaching Programs
- No. 60 (tied) National Universities
- No. 70 (tied) Undergraduate Business Programs
- No. 22 (tied) Entrepreneurship
- No. 34 (tied) Finance
- No. 34 (tied) Analytics
- No. 54 (tied) Accounting
U.S. News & World Report’s ranking methodology weights universities on their graduation and retention rates, peer assessments, student debt and success after graduation, performance enrolling and graduating first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students, among other factors. The full rankings and methodology can be found at the “U.S. News Best Colleges” website.
Santa Clara University also holds similar rankings in notable publication lists, including No. 75 in The Wall Street Journal’s “2024 Best Colleges in the U.S.” list, and No. 95 in Forbes’ 2023 “America’s Top Colleges” list.
About Santa Clara University
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. SCU has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. For more information see www.scu.edu.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and their communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, Real Estate, News and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Media Contact
Deborah Lohse | SCU Media Communications | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-554-5121
